AMCTO members have consistently supported standards for election technology as identified in our 2022 post-election survey report:
- 99% of respondents who used internet voting expressed support for standardization
- 80% of respondents who used other voting methods expressed support for standardization
Standards provide a consistent, province-wide baseline for security and operations, while also strengthening public confidence in the use of these tools. That is why we continue to advocate for the formalization of voting technology standards and the modernization of the Municipal Elections Act. We also support the Digital Governance Standards Institute (DGSI)’s ongoing regular review and update of the standards.
DGSI has published revised standards for vote tabulators and E-Poll books. Key updates for vote tabulators include clarified terminology and closer alignment with the DGSI’s Electronic Poll Books Standard, while updates to the Poll Books Standard address protection of voter information, business continuity, and considerations for emerging technology such as AI.
DGSI standards support the secure and accountable use of election tools and assets and verify voter registration, eligibility, and vote activity. While not mandatory, these standards provide guidance for election administrators by providing technical requirements for voting technologies. As more municipalities are turning to electronic methods of voting administration, and as part of our 2026 post-election review, members may wish to consider how this standard and its updates can be embedded into protocols and procedures going forward.
Stay tuned for our 2026 post-election survey to be released later this month!